Game-board.



No. 755,576. PATBNTED MAR. 22, 19104. O. M. MORSE.

GAME BOARD.

N 0 M 0 D B L.

No. 755.576. PATENTED MAR. 22, 1904.

o. M. MORSE. GAME BOARD.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 1o, 190s. No MODEL. 2 sHELTs-SHLLT 2.

THE nonms PETERS co. PHnTo-LIYHL.. wAsumcwN, D. c.

No.755,57e.

Patented March 22, 1904:.

ATET rricn.

ORVILLE M. MORSE, OF JACKSON, MICHIGAN.

GAME-BOARD..

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 755,576, dated March 22, 1904.

Application iiled August l0, 1903.

To @MZ whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORvILLn M. Monsn, of Jackson, in the county of Jackson and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Game-Boards; and I hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a game-board whereon games dependent upon the accurate projection of a ball may be played, wherein the objective field of activity of the ball is at the same end of the board from which the ball is initially projected.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described wherein the path of projection of the playing-ball is unrestricted, the possibility of its successfully reaching the objective field being thus made dependent upon the skill of the player.

A further object of my' invention is to provide a game-board of the character described wherein thc objective iield is arranged in a plane below the plane from which the playing-ball is projected and wherein the said objective field is in longitudinal alinement with the field from which the ball is projected.

lVith a View to attaining these and further objects, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, my invention consists in the combination, arrangement, and construction of parts hereinafter described, and specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, wherein I have illustrated my invention as applied to a table adapted particularly for such games as may be played on a bowling-alley, Figure l is acentral vertical section illustrating in one position of use a table embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a similar view showing' another position assumed by parts of the table. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of the same. Figs.

4i, 5, and 6 are transverse vertical sections taken on lines l, 5, and 6, respectively, of Fig. I.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like characters of reference throughout refer Serial No. 168,875. (No model.)

to like parts, lO l() indicate legs of the table. 11 11 indicate side pieces, l2 a front end piece, and 13 a rear end piece. These frame elements are so relatively proportioned that the proportions of the playing-field of the table approximate those of a bowling-alley.

rIhe upper edges of the side pieces of the table are preferably partially cut away at their front ends, as indicated at 1l, and the end piece l2 formed of such height as to conform therewith, while at the opposite end of the table the side pieces are preferably widened, as indicated at 1lb, the end piece 13 being of even height therewith. At the front end of the table are arranged at different elevations iii longitudinal alinement the field whereon the ball is initially projected andthe objective field of activity of the ball.

14 indicates a platform whose upper face constitutes the playing-green, as I will term the field from which the ball is projected. Said platform is preferably horizontally arranged near the top of the table with a suitable space intervening between its front edge and the front end of the table, and thence eX- tends rearward to any point practically removed from the rear end of the table. Preferably, however, the platform 14 is relatively short, as herein shown, its length beingl only suflicient to afford support to the ball and give room whereon the player may rest his hand used as a guide for his cue or other implement employed to project theball.

14 11i' indicate rearward projections from the platform 14, arranged at its lateral corners'to form stops to limit the upward movement of a transfer element to be described.

l5 indicates a sheet of felt or the like applied to the upper face of the platform or s0 much thereof as constitutes the playing-green.

16 indicates a oor member extending from the forward end of the table rearward into or beyond vertical alinement with rear end of platform 14 and disposed at a lower elevation than said platform. rIhe surface of the floor member 16 between the front end of the table and the front edge of the platform I4 forms the objective eld, wherein are placed the pieces to be acted upon by the ball in playing the game. l

In the present illustrative embodiment the table is constructed to simulate a bowlingalley, and accordingly the flooring member 16 is provided with a central longitudinal elevated alley-way 16', havingon the sides of the rear end thereof a groove 17 of proper width.

18 indicates a projection from the rear end of the ioor member 16, designed to form a stop for a purpose to be described.

At or adjacent the rear end of the table, preferably at the level of the upper edge thereof above the plane of the platform 14, is mounted a resilient cushion of suitable construction.

In the present embodiment 19 indicates a pneumatic cushion slightly curved in plan, as best shown in Fig. 3, and secured to the end piece 13 of the table.

20 indicates a valve whereby the pneumatic cushion may be inflated.

Interposed between the platform 14 and the cushion 19 is arranged a transfer element adapted to receive the ball projected from the playing-green at the level thereof and afford a path therefrom to the cushion 19 and uponfthe rebound of said ball from the cushion to return the ball at the level of the objective field. In the present embodiment 21 indicates said transfer element, comprising' an alley-section pivoted at 22 to the rear end of the table and extending therefrom forward, so that in the position illustrated in Fig. 1 the front end of said element closely approaches the rear end of platform 14. rIhe rear end of the transfer member 21 is preferably upwardly inclined, as illustrated at 21, the upper end of said incline being at substantially the level of the cushion 19. The element 21 is preferably constructed with an elevated central portion 21', flanked by grooves 23 on each side thereof, said parts corresponding with the elevated portion 16' and the groove 17 of the floor' member. Yielding means are provided for normally positioning the transfer element 21, so that it may receive the ball from the platform 14 at the level thereof. In the present instance 24 indicates a pivoted rod similar to a scale-beam arranged to extend longitudinally below the transfer member 21, at one end connected to said member and at the other end suitably weighted.

Specifically, 25 indicates across-bar secured to the rod 24 and provided with knife-edges arranged to rest in cleats 26, secured to said sides 11 of the frame. the bar 24 is slotted, as indicated at 24', to receive one edge of a loose plate 27, the opposite edge whereof is inserted in a grooved cleat 28, carried by the under surface of the transfer element. v

29 indicates a weight slidably mounted on The forward end of` the rear end of the rod 24 and provided `with a set-screw 30, whereby it may be secured in definite position relative to the said rod.

31 indicates a screw-threaded stud projecting longitudinally from the weight 29 and having mounted thereon a small screw-threaded weight 32, by whose adjustment great delicacy of balance may be obtained, as will be apparent.

33 indicates a damping means comprising a strip of felt secured at one edge to the vunder face of the rear end of platform 14 and having its other edge free to project rearwardly therefrom.

Associated with my table I have herein illustrated some of the devices which might be used in playing games thereon, indicating a ball, p indicating pins similar in outline to the ordinary tenpins, but preferably of less height than the distance from the top of oor member 16 to the top of the platform 14, and /t indicating a board designed to be stood on edge in the groove 17 in rear of the elevation 16' of the fioor member, and provided with a series of holes lat their lowest point tangential to the surface of said elevation 16', so that a ball may be rolled therethrough from said elevation in playing games. It will be understood, however, that the inclusion of these devices is suggestive only of some of the games that might be played upon a table of such construction.

The use of my invention is as follows: The weights upon rod 24 are so adjusted that the transfer element 21- is slightly overbalanced and elevated to the position shown in Fig. 1. The adjustment is so made, however, that the weight of a playing-ball suffices to overcome the light upward pressure and depress the transfer element. Assuming now that the pins p or other devices to be acted on are in position, the ball is placed upon the playing-green and projected toward the rear end of the board by any suitable means, such as a cue. From the platform 14 the ball rolls onto the front end of the transfer member 21, overcoming the lifting actionof the weight 30, so that the said transfer element is depressed until the forward end thereof strikes the stop 18, carried by the floor member 16. The ball continuing its rearward progress strikes the cushion 19 and rebounds, rolling down the incline presented by the transfer element 21 and arriving upon the floor member 16, where it enters the objective field, and if properly directed for that purpose strikes the pins or other devices to be acted upon. As soon as the transfer member 21 is relieved of the weight of the hall it returns to its initial position under the influence of the weight 30, in its ascent striking the projecting portion of the dampening-strip 33 and folding it over the edge of the plat- IOO IIO

form 14, so that it lies between the edge of said platform and the end of the transfer element. The dampening-strip 33, being of felt or other springy, material having good frictional qualities, serves to hold the transfer member 2l against rebound and bring it at once to a stop in its proper position.

It will be noted that no restriction is placed upon the direction in which the ball may be projected, so that the accuracy of its return depends upon the skill of the player. It will also be noted that the curvature of the cushion 19 makes it possible by properly initially positioning the ball and directing the projection thereof to cause it to strike the cushion 19 at any point Within the lateral limits of the raised alley-way and return from said point to any point within the objective field. Consequently the games which may be played thereon are olifide variety and are essentially games of s 1 INhile for purposes of full disclosure I have herein described one advantageous embodiment-of my invention, I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself thereto in detail, for it will be apparent to those skilled in the'art that numerous changes might be made in the specific construction of the table without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a game-board, the combination of a frame, a support constituting a playing-green adjacent one end of said frame, a Hoor member comprising' an objective field arranged at the same end of said table as said playinggreen but at a different elevation, a returncushion arranged at a point remote from said end of the table, and a movable transfer element arranged and adapted to form a path from said cushion either to the playing-green or to the objective field.

2. In a game-board, the combination with a frame, of a platform constituting a playinggreen arranged at one level in the frame and extending near to one end thereof, a iioor member constituting an objective field arranged in a plane below the platform and eX- tending therebeneath to the said end of the frame, a return-cushion remote from said end, a transfer element, arranged to form a path from said cushion either to the playing-green or to the objective field, and yielding means for holding said transfer element in position of communication with the playing-green.

3. In a game-board, the combination with a frame, of a relatively elevated platform constituting a playing-green, a relatively lowen fioor member, constituting the objective field, a transfer member pivoted in the frame with its pivotal axis transverse to the frame arranged when elevated to present one of its ends close to the playing-green platform, in the same plane therewith, and when depressed to similarly approach the floormember in the same plane therewith, and means for normally holding said transfer member in elevated p0- sition with a light pressure.

4. In a game-board, the combination with a frame, of two supports arranged therein in different planes, a transfer member pivotally movable about an axis transverse to the frame adapted to communicate with either of said supports in the plane thereof and yielding means for normally holding said transfer member in communication with the upper plane.

5. In a game-boarchthe combination with a frame, of two supports mounted therein arranged in longitudinal alinement at different elevations, a transfer element pivoted in the frame transversely of its longitudinal axis arranged to communicate with either of said boards at its elevation, means arranged and adapted to yieldingly hold said element in position to communicate with one of said supports and restore the same to such position when moved therefrom, and means for preventing the recoil of said element after such restoration.

6. In a game-board, the combination of a frame, a platform 14 constituting a playinggreen, a floor member 16 constituting an objective field, both arranged at one end of the table, a transfer member pivoted at the other end of said table and adapted to communicate with either the platform or the fioor member, a resilient cushion arranged adjacent the rear end of said transfer member, and yielding means for normally maintaining said transfer member in communication with the platform 14.

7. In a game-board, the combination. with a frame, of a platform arranged near the front end thereof, a Hoor member extending to the same end thereof, a transfer element pivoted in the frame transversely of its longitudinal aXis arranged in rear of the platform, and adapted to receive a ball at the level of said platform and conduct it to the level of the floor member, and means for causing a rebound of the ball arranged at the rear end of the frame.

8. In a game-board, the combination with a frame, of two supports arranged therein in different planes, and a transfer member pivoted in the frame transversely of its axis and arranged to communicate with either of the supports, said transfer member comprising a flat portion adjacent the support and a portion remote from said support inclined relative to the flat portion.

9. In a game-board, the combination of a frame, two supports arranged therein in different planes, a transfer member pivoted in IOC IIO

IZO

the frame transversely of its aXis,and arranged In testimony that I claim the foregoing as to communicate with either of the supports, my oWnI aliX my slgnatnre in presence of two I O said transfer member having a flat portlon Witnesses.

adjacent the supports and a portion remote I from said supports inclined relative to the fiat ORVILLE M' MORbE portion, and a return-cushion arranged adja- In presence ofcent the upper end of the inclined portion of GEO. T. MAY, J r.,

said transfer member. MARY F. ALLEN, 

